13/08/2023
A message for those who were unable to be with us today:
Homily. Pentecost 11. 13th August 2023. W@W. Revd. Louise Orpe
Readings: Genesis 37:1-4;12-28; Romans 10:4-15; Matthew 14:22-36
After hearing many parables, last week we all left with a charge to ponder finishing the phrase:
“The Kingdom of Heaven is like….” I wonder what you came up with, and if anyone would like to share?
I lay awake for some time pondering this question, and I think for me it is like coming home where everything is in place. Where there is no more struggle, competition, greed, or pride, regret, sorrow,…revenge or anger…this is all swept away and replaced by one thing love., and I think, joy and peace. I wonder what your thoughts are.
Perhaps this is what Jesus was referring to when he spoke of the hidden treasure in the field?
The hidden treasure I think is that realisation of the truth…that intangible moment when we might smell, feel or touch the majesty of God through Jesus…when we might feel that nothing else matters as the Holy Spirit commands our destiny…that little glimpse of heaven on earth even for a few seconds is for me a realization of what the Kingdom of heaven may be like…
That is the treasure…when we realize that actually all the things we have been worried about or striving for don't matter…in fact nothing else matters except to continue to strive to grasp some more seconds of Jesus in our lives.
I wonder if that is what Jesus is referring to when he gives us the charge of the great first commandment; “to love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your mind and with all your strength”…. as by doing this we have a glimpse of heaven and by loving our neighbour as ourselves we live the experience that enables us to live out and realize the presence of God active and alive within us.
Maybe this is the moment that was there for Peter in the storm,…the moment although terrified he said:
“Lord, if it’s you,” “tell me to come to you on the water.” And Jesus’ reply very simply was “come.” Peter in this moment had a glimpse of heaven, and when he stepped out in faith experienced the gift of his faith as he literally walked on the water towards Jesus.
Did not Paul say:
“Everyone that calls on the Lord will be saved?” Here we see this in action….but as we seek that hidden treasure as we seek the kingdom of heaven we can identify with Peter’s weakness and doubt, as we strive to remain strong in our faith…and to have courage….as we are called to keep our eye on the goal, our eye on Jesus unwaveringly, in case we might fall.
It is marvellous story. The disciples understandably stricken with fear saw a vision beyond their comprehension, they had an experience that belonged to the Kingdom of Heaven…not only was Jesus, walking towards them on the water, but he calmed the terror of the storm. The terror of nature that the fishermen had no control over.
Here we see the Kingdom of Heaven, the presence of God intervening in the turmoil and unpredictable realms of the earthly existence.
This story, this experience Paul reminds us, is not just for the people of that day, the people in the boat in the moment or even the crowds that witnessed the miracle on the shore, this story is for people of every age and time. It is for all people, as he writes:
12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”[f]
But following this Paul makes the most profound point as he says:
But what about those who have never heard of the Lord.
14 “How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? “
Often, we might think that our faith is personal it is our own private belief and we are to respect other beliefs and experiences, and keep our faith just like that to ourselves.
I wonder where this attitude comes from and is something you can identify with…it is a safe seat, and an easy way out isn’t it.
We don’t have to have the embarrassment of putting ourselves out there, we do not have to cope with rejection or an awkward confronting discussion, we can just stay safely in our nest and protect ourselves and our beliefs…
I wonder if this is what Jesus is calling us to do..and what he wants from us as his hands and feet in this world?
I often think, if we were in a desert and knew of a spring, a source of water, and a group of people appeared over a ridge on deaths door, with no hope of sustenance or a future….would we not call to them,and direct them to the water as there is plenty for everyone?
Come!...says Jesus.
Or would we instead simply look at them and keep the knowledge to ourselves because we did not want to intrude?
Paul says how can people know about the source of life, the Kingdom of heaven…the opportunity to be saved, unless someone tells them about Christ…how will they know!?
They cannot call on the name of the Lord and be saved if they do not know it.
Paul writes “how beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news.”
Everyone likes good news….particularly of the well and water of life.
So, we are called to share this good news, and observe the joy of the day, Jesus calling us ‘to come’ a as he blesses us with power insight and love….and are we not willed, called and impelled to share this with others?
Why? so that at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow, and we all shall be saved.
To God be the glory, today and for evermore Amen.
Questions: from todays readings:
Can you articulate what ‘the kingdom of heaven is like for you….?’
What would the world be like if many people had glimpses of heaven through out the day, and shared it with others?
Does being anointed as a child of God, come with a charge, a responsibility, a desire?
What is the fear that we have in sharing the good news with other people?
How will they know if no one tells them? How can you believe in the one of whom you have not heard?
Why does Jesus call us to share his presence in our lives with others?
How is it that ‘God’s Kingdom will come?’
Readings for next week:
Genesis 45:1-15; Psalm 133; Romans 11:13-32; Matthew 15:10-28
Is there a theme or message that runs through these readings?
Does a passage or phrase stand out to you this week? Why?
Do you have any questions that arise from these readings?
Does God have a message for you ?
